Role for Selenium in Metabolic Homeostasis and Human Reproduction

Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient essential for life. Dietary intake of Se within the physiological range is critical for human health and reproductive functions. Selenium levels outside the recommended range have been implicated in infertility and variety of other human diseases. However, presently it is not clear how different dietary Se sources are processed in our bodies, and in which form or how much dietary Se is optimum to maintain metabolic homeostasis and boost reproductive health. This uncertainty leads to imprecision in published dietary guidelines and advice for human daily intake of Se and in some cases generating controversies and even adverse outcomes including mortality. The chief aim for this review is to describe the sources of organic and inorganic Se, the metabolic pathways of selenoproteins synthesis, and the critical role of selenprotenis in the thyroid gland homeostasis and reproductive/fertility functions. Controversies on the use of Se in clinical practice and future directions to address these challenges are also described and discussed herein.

Relations among glycemic control, circulating endothelial cells, nitric oxide, and flow mediated dilation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been identified as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the association of glycemic control with CEC and endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

We studied 30 patients with type 2 DM and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC). Number of circulating endothelial cells was measured by flow cytometry. Endothelial function was studied by measuring flow mediated vasodilation (FMD%) in the brachial artery and serum level of nitric oxide (NO).

RESULTS

CEC count was significantly elevated in patients with DM, than HC (35.3±15.1 vs. 7.3±2.4, p<0.001) and in patients with HbA1c>7 than patients with HbA1c≤7 (47.4±5.5 vs. 19.5±5.7, p<0.001). FMD% and NO were lower in DM patients than HC (3.5±0.85 vs. 9.5±3.1, p<0.001 and 37.8±6.1 vs. 64.1±5.7, p<0.001 respectively). FMD% and NO were lower in patients with HbA1c>7 as compared to patients with HA1c≤7 (2.8±0.4 vs. 4.3±0.4, p<0.001 and 33.1±2.9 vs. 43.9±2.8, respectively, p<0.001). HbA1c correlated negatively with FMD% and NO levels and positively with CEC. CEC count correlated negatively with FMD% and NO. There was a significant positive correlation between CEC count and HBA1c (p<0.001 for all correlations).

CONCLUSION

CEC is associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction and disease control in patients with type 2 DM. These findings suggest a potential role of CEC in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic and raise the importance of tight glycemic control.

Exposure to radiation from the natural radioactivity in Jordanian building materials

The natural radioactivity due to the presence of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in selected building materials used in Jordanian building constructions has been measured using gamma-ray spectrometer with a Hyper Pure germanium detector. The average activity concentrations observed in different building materials ranged from 27.7 +/- 7.5 to 70.4 +/- 2.8, 5.9 +/- 0.67 to 32.9 +/- 3.9 and 30.8 +/- 0.87 to 58.5 +/- 1.5 for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra measured in fine aggregates was found to be among the highest values obtained in this work. The ranges of the calculated Ra-equivalent were found to be lower than those values recommended for construction materials (370 Bq kg(-1)). The average internal and external hazard indices were found to be <1. The average of the calculated annual gonadal equivalent dose was found to be 198 microSv y(-1). Results indicate no significant radiological hazards arise from using such materials in building construction.

Salmonella prevalence and distribution of serotypes in apparently healthy slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Eastern Ethiopia

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and distribution of Salmonella from apparently healthy slaughtered camels in Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 714 samples (faeces, mesenteric, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles) from 119 slaughtered camels were analysed. Salmonellae were detected from 116 (16.2%) of the 714 samples examined. Eighteen (15.1%) faeces, 19 (15.9%) mesenteric lymph nodes, 14 (11.8%) livers and 17 (14.3%) spleen samples (n = 119 for each) were positive for Salmonella. Salmonellae were found in 20.1% of the abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles. A total of sixteen different serotypes were identified of which Salmonella saintpaul (38.8%) and S. braenderup (22.4%) were the most prevalent followed by S. muenchen (8.6%), S. kottbus (6.0%) and S. havana (5.2%). Other serotypes, including S. typhimurium, S. heidelberg and S. enteritidis were also detected from Ethiopian camels.